Anyone have a washboard...?

[The Saint]

My wife's percussion instrument of choice is her washboard. Started playing it when we were in a skiffle band but we've since discovered that it fits in with most songs we cover now we have diversified. Seriously...! For the slower stuff she has a variety of things in her bag that she can hit, shake or rattle.

 

But after 12 years or so the washboard is beginning to show its age and is getting a bit thin in the middle. Unlike me.. !

 

So we've been looking for a replacement but can't find anything authentic. There are lots of examples on eBay and the like but all are just cheap toys.  A washboard similar to that used by Steve Ferrone on the Clapton Unplugged album is available, but she'd really like a traditional wooden framed one.

 

Does anyone have suggestions as where we can find one...?

 

Or maybe you actually have one stored away somewhere...!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Matt P]

Thomann have a few options at different prices, we bought one of the cheaper ones for our drummer as a gift, mostly as a joke but i'd expect it to make an appearance live at some point.

 

Washboards at Thomann

 

Matt

[The Saint]

Thanks Matt. We had looked at those, but just not what she wants..

 

Finding an original 50's or maybe 60's one is as rare as hen's teeth.

[Cato]

22 minutes ago, Matt P said:

Thomann have a few options at different prices, we bought one of the cheaper ones for our drummer as a gift, mostly as a joke but i'd expect it to make an appearance live at some point.

 

Washboards at Thomann

 

Matt

 

£340 for a top of the range washboard?

 

Everyday's a school day.

[Reggaebass]

There’s quite a few vintage washboards on eBay but I don’t really know anything about what they are 

[Woodwind]

2 hours ago, The Saint said:

My wife's percussion instrument of choice is her washboard. Started playing it when we were in a skiffle band but we've since discovered that it fits in with most songs we cover now we have diversified. Seriously...! For the slower stuff she has a variety of things in her bag that she can hit, shake or rattle.

 

But after 12 years or so the washboard is beginning to show its age and is getting a bit thin in the middle. Unlike me.. !

 

So we've been looking for a replacement but can't find anything authentic. There are lots of examples on eBay and the like but all are just cheap toys.  A washboard similar to that used by Steve Ferrone on the Clapton Unplugged album is available, but she'd really like a traditional wooden framed one.

 

Does anyone have suggestions as where we can find one...?

 

Or maybe you actually have one stored away somewhere...!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I go to quite a few flea markets around London.

I have seen old washboards for sale on a couple of occasions, but as with anything at these type of markets it's when you aren't looking for it that you see it.

 

 

Car boots would be another avenue to explore, but as Reggaebass says waiting for one to turn up on eBay might be the best bet.

Edited 14 hours ago by Woodwind

[Woodwind]

Is this similar to your current one?

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/177048483189?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=nrhfh01pq1o&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=IEanl3fNSaK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

 

[Delberthot]

Have you seen it?

 

Edited 14 hours ago by Delberthot

[Mykesbass]

Etsy UK. Looks like plenty of choice, vintage and repro.

[Dad3353]

5 hours ago, The Saint said:

... Does anyone have suggestions as where we can find one...?...

 

Have a search for 'corrugated glass', and choose a pane that matches her current 'ripple'. That won't wear out in a hurry, and could doubtless be built-in to her current frame, with a bit of DIY. Worth a shot..?

 

A quick Ebay search for 'glass washboard' brings up loads of 'em. 

Edited 11 hours ago by Dad3353

[The Saint]

3 hours ago, Woodwind said:

Is this similar to your current one?

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/177048483189?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=nrhfh01pq1o&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=IEanl3fNSaK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

 

Yes, very similar although that one looks to be heavier judging by the rear view.

 

It's the closest one I've seen recently, thank you...

[The Saint]

26 minutes ago, Dad3353 said:

 

Have a search for 'corrugated glass', and choose a pane that matches her current 'ripple'. That won't wear out in a hurry, and could doubtless be built-in to her current frame, with a bit of DIY. Worth a shot..?

Thanks for the suggestion, but she doesn't want glass. It's very different sound to the current one. 

 

A bit like choosing a Precision or a Jazz.

 

You like what you like...!!

 

[The Saint]

29 minutes ago, Dad3353 said:

 

Have a search for 'corrugated glass', and choose a pane that matches her current 'ripple'. That won't wear out in a hurry, and could doubtless be built-in to her current frame, with a bit of DIY. Worth a shot..?

Thanks for the suggestion, but she doesn't want glass. It's very different sound to the current one. 

 

A bit like choosing a Precision or a Jazz.

 

You like what you like...!!

 

[Dad3353]

2 minutes ago, The Saint said:

Thanks for the suggestion, but she doesn't want glass. It's very different sound to the current one. 

 

A bit like choosing a Precision or a Jazz.

 

You like what you like...!!

 

 

One may change the sound by using different thimbles. Just sayin'. 

[The Saint]

Just to clarify, her current board was made in the 50's and has a metal board, which we think is zinc or some sort of brass combination.

 

Here it is....

 

Edited 11 hours ago by The Saint

[The Saint]

Oh, don't I know it...!

 

We must have about 5 million of the little buggers hidden around the house...!

[casapete]

Antique / junk shops, car boots, auctions, eBay, Etsy etc etc as others have mentioned.

 

Or how about this?
Vintage ‘Wash Board’ for £22 -

gdads.co.uk

 

Or even this although £56.44 -

amazon.co.uk

Search for ‘Behrens BWBG12 Galvanized Washboard, Large’

 

Same Behrens model as the Amazon one available for £37.50 -

desertcart.co.uk

 

Good luck! 👍

 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by casapete